Box 29.. need clarification

[QueenAlicia]

I am taking a refresher course to stay current in medical billing  since I am marketing and a start up ( I graduated dec 2009).  I am taking a course that "recommends" leaving box 29 blank.  They give a few reasons, one being that if you include the amount in box 29 it will deduct the amount from box 30 and the insurance payer will pay only the portion on just the amount in box 30 leaving a balance to the patient that should of been paid by the insurance.

Also if this was secondary to attach an EOB and still leave box 29 blank so secondary payer could also see what as paid.

What is your take on this.  I just want to make sure that I am not confusing myself.  Thanks in advance

[tlewis]

CMS-1500 form??  Deduct the amount from box 30? someone's program isn't set up right. It should deduct the amount from box 28

box 28 total charge - box 29 amount paid=box 30 balance due. However it doesn't show the non allowed thats why the EOB needs to be sent.  Sounds fishy to me the only insurance that I personally bill that doesn't allow an EOB is DMAP(oregon medicaid) and I have to fill out a separate form for them. I would worry about the Insurance stating that the claim has not been filled in correctly and reject the claim. CMS-1500 forms that are sent on paper are generally scanned so if it's programed to see if box 29 is filled in it would give the insurance a reason to not process. I have had claims reject out because my line up  was off so when it was scanned it wouldn't process.
I personally have never had a problem with box 29 being filled in but could see a delay in payment if it were not.

[QueenAlicia]

Yes on the 1500 form.  Your info was the same as my question and recommendation from the course just worded differently.  The course mentions that sometimes claims are not paid properly because the box was filled in so I was just seeing if anyone has had issues with this. Thanks for responding 

[Michele]

This can be a controversial subject.  There have been previous posts on it.  We have had to put $0 in box 29 before even if a payment was made because we were advised to do so by our local BCBS.  It messed up there processing system if we included patient payments and subtracted them.  I know it goes against all that is taught, but we sent them in that way and never had issues with payments.

Michele